"Hard work trumps everything." That's my father's motto. My father, Hazrat, moved to
New York from Guyana in 1981. It quickly became his job to provide for his parents. He never
resented it; he knew it was his duty as a good son. He was eighteen, fresh out of high school and
needed a job. So, he worked in construction; he detested it, but it put food on the table for the
time. He continued his job while he got his associate degree from Bronx Community College. He
knew it would be a stepping stone towards his real dreams.

My father had big dreams: he wanted to be a successful engineer. However, money and
the need to provide for the family forced him to put that dream on hold and move on to more
realistic possibilities. He decided that an electrician would be the best path. He signed up at City
College and it took him seven years to complete his bachelor's degree. He went at night and
picked up two full-time jobs during the day to pay the bills and support his parents. He worked
long and hard, hoping that there would someday be enough money and he could chase his dream.
He worked fifty hours a week and went to college too. Months, then eventually years passed of
this, and my father quickly abandoned his dream of going to college for engineering. He would
be an electrician instead. He had to settle.

It's my turn and I know I will never have to settle. My father and mother have worked
incredibly hard to ensure the financial stability and success of our family. My parents wanted me
to have the childhood they never had. I've played competitive tennis for over a decade and I am
the first person in my family to delve into music; I play the violin and I sing. I have never had a
job out of necessity; I've worked to get spending money for myself.

I am unapologetic about my big dreams; I want to be the first person in my family to get
a doctorate and I want to become an immigration lawyer. Both my parents came here legally, but they know people who didn't go through the process correctly. I want to console those families and bring them comfort. They made a choice and are suffering the consequences, but that doesn't make it any easier. I wish to educate people and help them get here properly so that they don't have to go through this pain. I know what I want and I will never settle. Hard work got my father to where he is today. He's a workaholic because he wants to provide. However, in the pursuit of hard work and providing for the family, my father gave up his big dreams. Therefore, he has made sure that I never have to settle and that I can chase my dreams. His hard work has given me the world and for that, I am eternally grateful.